Old photos

StriperSS · Poncho Master!

Old photos

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

Great shots! I'm going to move this thread to the Memories area.

427carl · A Poncho Legend!

Was that on the street? or strip?

StriperSS · Poncho Master!

We had a section of old highway that we used for a couple of years, with the blessing of the local town. We'd block it off about every second weekend. Then we discovered that the insurance wasn't really valid, so it died in early 76.

StriperSS · Poncho Master!

The local RCMP guy, Ron would often come and watch. That's a 454 Biscayne he's in.

A couple of GTO's . The 65 from Keremeos, the 67 From Osoyoos.

StriperSS · Poncho Master!

The 65 GTO was parted out years ago. I believe the 67 is still around with the same owner.
I wonder about the Beaumonts, if they're still around.

Delta Tango · Guru

Great shots! Those highway shots from '75 may be a sign of the future. What with the pending doom of such facilities as "Race City", these scenes of spectators and racers gathering on back road may become reality again. I'm not sure if it's a good idea or not?

beaumontwagon · Guru

Cool pix. Like the Funnycar on the street, priceless.

tin indian · Poncho Master!

i read an article in an old car magazine about the very same place. this went on for yrs, even with the police presence! what i would do, if we could only go back in time! great pics!

StriperSS · Poncho Master!

We had the blessing of the local council, the police and anyone else that counted. The road was little used, and was blocked off for each event. You had to pay to enter or watch.
Rails and funny cars made single runs because of the width of the road. I was flag starter occasionally.

-- Edited by StriperSS on Sunday 21st of November 2010 11:34:17 AM

67SD396 · Poncho Master!

That is awesome! We can only dream about drag racing like that now. The photos are great. Sure glad you have shared them here.

ZAPPER68 · Addicted!

Great photos...they remind me when I lived up in Grande Prairie AB (late 70's early 80's). We used to race on the highway outside of Ft. St. John BC at a place called Rolla. This was a regular Sunday event and there were timing lights set up, a bleacher in the ditch and sometimes refreshments. Rumour had it that the BC Minister of Highways son was one of the racers from Ft. St. John...

There was a detour around the blocked off part of the highway. Once in while the farmer at the far end of the track would venture out on the road but knew better to proceed without looking. After 6 or so runs the cars would all come back down the road together and the next group would go.

The guys I raced with had an 11 second 69 Camaro but there were lots of cars faster than that. Apparently the Rolla races are no more, and one of the runways at the airport in FT. St. John (and Grande Prairie) are now used. Too bad I never took any pictures of the Rolla races...we had some good times there. My friends still have their 69 camaro and it continues to run in the 11's.

ZAPPER

Capilano · Member

I thought you would like to see some pictures from the late 60's. The black and whites are from racing at Kitimat on July 1st, 1968. This is my L79 Acadian Canso SD. This car was ordered new from McRae Motors, Prince Rupert in 1966 (I bought it from the first owner in early '68), but was a late build (May) and apparently there weren't any posi 12 bolts available. That's why you only see one tire smoking. It was a great car and it scared the hell out of my friends and their muscle cars.

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

Welcome here.

Please tell us you still have that car!

68sd · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

WOW ,were did it end up?

Capilano · Member

The car is long gone, rotted out from the salty coast air with help from driving it to work at the pulp mill,the chemicals in the air didn't help.

Present vehicles:
1965 Chevelle SS L79 clone, triple black
1965 Ford Custom R Code clone
1965 Buick Sportwagon

cheetah 427 · Poncho Master!

i bought a black 67 sd with red int from vancouver years ago, i wonder if thats my car ??

68sd · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

whats the colour combo on that one?

-- Edited by 68sd on Monday 6th of December 2010 12:16:54 AM

StriperSS · Poncho Master!

Are you the same Doug Wells that drove a car carrier for years?

Capilano · Member

The Acadian was dark green/black interior. It had the wide ratio 4 speed. As a side note my friend in Prince Rupert owned the Aztec Bronze 1966 Parisienne (not Custom Sport) that Bowell Mclean sponsered At Mission Raceway. It was a bench seat 427/425 with a 4.56 rear. It hauled!

Capilano · Member

Still driving Car Carrier only now I only do Vancouver Island.

StriperSS · Poncho Master!

Remember me from 100 Mile House? John The Striper?

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

Capilano wrote:

The Acadian was dark green/black interior. It had the wide ratio 4 speed. As a side note my friend in Prince Rupert owned the Aztec Bronze 1966 Parisienne (not Custom Sport) that Bowell Mclean sponsered At Mission Raceway. It was a bench seat 427/425 with a 4.56 rear. It hauled!

My 2 favourite cars! An SD Acadian L79 and a 427 powered 66 Pontiac.

And the Parisienne ended up...........................???

StriperSS · Poncho Master!

Doug, you've got to post photos of all your old cars. biggrin

The 3 you've posted already are pretty cool!

Capilano · Member

Hi John, of course I remember. How are you doing? It has been a while, I now have Derek's 1965 Chevelle SS. I am doing a frame off right now. Lots of money but it should be worth it. I believe you found the AM/FM radio thats in it(a rare piece now). Are you still in the business.